Newbie questions

[SloTh]

I hear a click when I pushed up a pin which i think is binding, but the lock dont turn a bit I cant understand why...

[Romstar]

Does the pin get puched back down? Can you still feel resistance from the spring? If so, it's not up far enough, or it isn't binding.

Also, the movement in the plug is felt more than it is seen in many cases. Unless it's a sloppy lock you won't see much in the way of movement, but you will feel it.

Just relax and pay attention to what the lock is telling you.

Romstar

[SloTh]

So, you mean that I have to push a binding pin up, then turn the lock with the tension wrench to it doesn't fall back, then take another binding, and if it doesn't turn then there is another pin binding much more?

Also, I want to make own picks, but my dad say its illegal. Is this true?

[pointofview]

You should be applying light torque the whole time... not enough to stop the pins from moving to their home above the shearline, but just enough to rotate the plug a little bit once it gets there. Then you move to the next pin.

You can tell if a pin has been picked or not by applying some vertical pressure to the pin. If it has been picked, it'll feel loosey-goosey as there's nothing behind the key pin pushing it back down. If the pin hasn't been picked, you should feel some light resistance from the driver pin and spring that's behind it.

Now I can't stress this enough... DON'T USE TOO MUCH TORQUE ON THE WRENCH!!! I've seen some good descriptions on this site about how much tension needs to be applied... can somebody post one of them? It's hard for me to try to give it a value...

Also, it looks from some of your questions that you may not have read the MIT Guide, which would be a huge help. You can find it here:

http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/

It might not be too flashy looking, but it's a great read. Also, I've found that www.howstuffworks.com is action-packed full of cool 3D animations, but the information is a little sketchy, and they don't always use the right terms, so just look at the animations.

Happy picking!

[SloTh]

Ok, thank you. But is it illegal to make picks? My dad says that it is.

[SloTh]

Now he says that I should forget all about lockpicking
I can't make own picks, I can't buy. What should I do? I dont want to quit Could I pick locks with paperclips only?

[Romstar]

Now he says that I should forget all about lockpicking
I can't make own picks, I can't buy. What should I do? I dont want to quit Could I pick locks with paperclips only?

We've actually been though this before with another member. I don't know if he ever got it sorted out with his father, but it was perfectly legal where he was.

There is this mental barrier that many people have, and it has to do with lockpicks. Either they never think of them, or they think they are something only thieves and locksmiths have.

You tell us where you live, and we'll tell you what we can. I can say this though. In almost ALL places, posession and use of lockpicks is perfectly legal UNLESS you are doing something else that is illegal. So sitting at home, picking locks, walking down the street with them in your pocket, having them in your car, is almost always legal in MOST places.

The best place to find this out is with a lawyer in your local area after you have a copy of the pertinent law for your state.

Romstar

[SloTh]

Ok, I live in sweden, in jönköping. Actually I don't know any locksmiths, so I cant get tools from there.

[Romstar]

I am pretty sure that we have some Swedish members. I hope one of them sees this, and has an answer.

Because I don't speak the language, I can't easily answer this question.

You best bet regardless is to call up a local lawyer, and ask him if they are legal.

I am almost sure that they are legal, but only if the intended use is lawful. So, if you commit an offence, and are in posession of lock picks, that could make them illegal.

Again, a good lawyer is your best bet.
It's a fascinating hobby, and a great career.

Romstar

[reg]

When I was on a metal supply and lock fair this spring I met someone from a swedish lockmaker, who was swedish himself.

They had padlocks fitted with standard euro half cylinders and they had an evva 3ks in it. So I talked to him, to see if he was really aware of the fact that the security of his padlock relied a lot on the type of half cylinder he put in there.

He asked me why I was so interested, so I told him about the SSDeV and he was very interested, even to the point that I thought at least among locksmiths and lockmakers in Sweden picking is an important skill. (Swedish lock standards require a picking test along with other tests of the locks.)

I can't really imagine that picking is illegal in Sweden, but your best bet would be talking to a lawyer.
My mother still thinks what I'm doing is fishy - parents tend to be over-careful sometimes - luckily I am well over-age , so I get to decide for myself.

I guess in all countries you would be in trouble for being cought making your picks if you are a convicted thief, but I assume that you are not.

Cheers,

reg

[Hak]

Where i live its legal to have picks, but i dont let anyone know that i can. When i make my own picks i keep my shop door closed, my neighbor is a paranoid old lady who hates me (and just about everyone else for that matter) and she would call the cops if she saw me making them Although the police probably wouldn't take the picks or do anything, i would just rather avoid the hassle.

Like Reg, my mother always thought the hobby of lockpicking was a bit fishy, she thought i was going to become some kind of criminal. But she began to feel better about it when i got a job as an apprentice locksmith.

[SloTh]

Ok. I showed my dad pick on the internet (expensive) and he was like O.o so he will let me making ones i think.

[Romstar]

One step at a time. Try getting your dad involved. Not only in making the picks, but in using them.

My dad and I used to build model ships, cars, planes and whatever else we happened to pick up that week.

He prefered ships, I prefered planes and star ships, but the cars? The cars were where everything came together. We built cars so well, you could take a picture and not know it was a model.

You never know, dad may start having as much fun as you.

Good luck,
Romstar

[SloTh]

Ok I'll go for that. Thx everybody!